Contento Social Homes exist to improve the support for Survivors of Domestic Abuse, and their Children in UK by providing Safe-Accommodation and skills to improve their wellbeing.

When considering whether a person has experienced domestic abuse, we take account of the cross-government definition. This defines domestic violence and abuse as:

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender.

The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. We are committed to ensuring that those who need to escape from domestic abuse are given as much support and assistance as possible so that they are able to re-build their lives away from abuse and harm and live a safe, fulfilling and positive life

Safe refuges and housing support for survivors of domestic abuse and their children. Our refuges offer an immediate safe place for women and children who have suffered from the different levels of domestic abuse. A refuge is a safe space for people who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Refuges provide somewhere safe for survivors and their children to stay and think about what to do next. The refuge offers support to recover, to work through distress, and to develop strategies for personal safety.

Our housing support consists of temporary accommodation; both short and long-term support living, as well as immediate temporary accommodation provided under the homeless legislation. Our work involves advising and supporting our service users to make informed choices about next steps, whether on securing a permanent home or how to live independently.

We assist survivors of domestic abuse to move on from a refuge, or other form of temporary accommodation, into settled accommodation, when they are ready. We promote a consistent approach across local authorities to the way they consider applications from survivors of domestic abuse in refuges.

Contento Social Homes may inform tenants of the option of applying to the court for an injunction against the perpetrator such as an order prohibiting the perpetrator from molesting the tenant (non-molestation orders)

Or an order prohibiting the perpetrator from living in the home or entering the surrounding area (occupation orders). We also support to survivors consider the scope for evicting the perpetrator and allowing the survivor to return to their home with a new tenancy agreement.

We ensure the accommodation that we provide meets the needs and circumstances – and wherever possible the preferences – of the survivor and their household and that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place following an assessment of the survivor’s needs and circumstances.

We make it safer for the survivor and the family to live in the property through the provision of appropriate security measures. Our programmes allow the service users to gain necessary life skills developing self-sufficiency. As a result, this will help survivors to have the confidence they need to leave an abusive situation and reduce the potential for anxiety and distress.